Explosions heard in Egypt resort town

CAIRO (Reuters) – Three explosions shook the Egyptian Sinai
resort of Dahab on Monday and smoke could be seen rising from
the town’s tourist bazaar, witnesses said.

At least 12 people were killed and more than 90 were
wounded, Al Jazeera television reported.

“The victims and the wounded are being taken to hospitals,”

Jazeera’s correspondent in Cairo told the Doha-based
television.

Residents said they saw body parts and debris on the street
after an explosion at a restaurant.

A local emergency services official said he knew of five
dead and 60 wounded. “We have five killed and 60 wounded so far
… The number is

likely to rise,” said the official, who did not want to be
named.

“There is smoke coming from the area and there are people
running everywhere,” said the witness, who did not want to be
named. The explosions were heard about 7:15 p.m. local time
(1315 EDT) on Monday, part of a five-day spring holiday in
Egypt, the witness said.

A interior ministry official confirmed there had been
explosions but said he had no further information. “There were
explosions but the picture is still not clear,” he said.

Body parts and debris were seen in the streets after an
explosion in a tourist restaurant, other residents said. One
visitor said cars and buses leaving the resort were being
stopped by police.

“There were body parts and debris in the street … There
are ambulances and cars taking people to hospital,” said
another resident who also did not want to be named.

Last July, at least 60 people, including foreigners, were
killed and more than 200 were wounded when two car bombs and a
suitcase ripped through hotels and shopping areas in Egypt’s
tourist area of Sharm el-Sheikh.